Prop and Gas problem

[TURBOURBO]

ok... I have a question for all of you. I'm still running my stock prop on my 2003 SAN TE. I've thought about going to a different prop for better hole shot. However, I am concerned that I would be running at a higher RPM.... with gas prices where they are, I want to make sure I have the best prop to gas consumption ratio.

So my question: What have some of you that have switched seen on your gas consumption... If you go to a lower pitch prop for hole shot... do you see yourself burning more or less fuel?

[surroundsound64]

RE: Prop and Gas problem

If you bought a tournament ski boat for gas consumption reasons you bought the wrong boat.

[Roy]

RE: Prop and Gas problem

Actually, you bought the right boat. By any measure, an inboard ski boat out performs comparable powered sterndrive and outboard offerings. I would suggest you talk to your local Correct Craft Dealer for the best prop for your needs.
Good Luck.

[TURBOURBO]

RE: Prop and Gas problem

so basically... no one knows the answer... I bought my wakeboard boat to wake board...

Responding to my post like you did (... you bought the wrong boat)... is just plain dumb. If you don't know the answer to the question... then don't post.... Geesh!

[Flux]

I can't really say what the overall gas consumption effect will be from changing the pitch on your prop, but consider how much weight you are carrying in your boat.

You are probably going WOT for the hole shot, higher pitched props will get you on plane quicker and to cruising speed faster, but at higher RPM's overall. Your stock prop will take longer to plane at WOT, so you are probably working the engine just as hard overall, but waiting longer to plane out.

Gas consumption really will reflect how hard you slam your boat down, big wakes take more energy, low or high pitched prop, whatever.

If you wanna save gas, use less ballast, that's what I think. If you are running alot of weight and want a better hole shot, get a higher pitched prop. You gotta pay to play.

We went from the stock 536 to the 644, I saw decent improvement in the hole shot, but then I ordered big giant fatsacs and took out the factory hard tanks. In retrospect I should have gone to the 856. I am happy with the 644 though and the RPM's did not go up that much really. I am not a top speed driver, I cruise at 3800 to 4000 regardless of the speed.

Saving gas is a matter of the weight for the most part. But like most wakeboarders, you keep adding weight and burning more fuel.

[882001]

RE: Prop and Gas problem

lower pitch means less time flooring it/ struggleing to plane= gas savings.

[surroundsound64]

RE: Prop and Gas problem

But the smaller the pitch, or the smaller the bite, the more rpms you have to turn to maintain a certian speed. My uncle bought a 4 blade for his 96 SN, at 20 mph he was turning over 3K. With a 3 blade, of greater pitch he only had to turn 2400.

Relax Turbourbo. Getting frustrated because no one gives you the answer you were looking for quickly is dumb.

[JoeCos]

RE: Prop and Gas problem

Send an email to Bill Weeks of Acme Propeller. He is very helpful in making recommendations on which prop, pitch etc. Give him all the specs, Boat Year, Engine, current prop, and what is that you want to do. If its saving gas, or something in between. Be ready to give him RPM numbers at WOT.

His email address is..... bweeks@acmemarine.com

[TRBenj]

higher pitched props will get you on plane quicker and to cruising speed faster, but at higher RPM's overall.

Just FYI, you have it backwards. A prop with LESS pitch will accelerate better, but turn more RPM's at any given speed.

[882001]

yeah thats what i ment. i went from a 13x13 to a 13x11.5 and i definatly use way less fuel now. yes i run about 2900 rpms at wakeboard speed with a full boat. but my boat would be floorer for like 200 yards before. and now you never floor it or it will pull the rope out of the riders hand. so in my case it helped alot in fuel consumtion. i couldnt imagine it being any different on other boats.it seems to me it would matter more about throttle position than rpms